‘Young guns must be groomed for 2015 World Cup’

KARACHI - While complimenting the team for their triumph in One-day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals series over West Indies, former skipper Rashid Latif said that introduction of young guns in T20 International was very encouraging and heartening.

“With an eye on 2015 World Cup, Pakistan team must improve their bench strength and back up line,” he said in an interview on Monday on Pakistan’s 3-1 win in ODIs and Twenty20 series win.

He said players like Umar Amin, Harris Sohail, Ahmed Shehzad are future of Pakistan batting. He, however, expressed his dismay over dropping of talented Asad Shafiq after two ODIs. “Asad Shafiq deserves full opportunities to give him a confidence and boost to get best out of him.”

“Youngsters should be given full opportunity to display their potential and groom them for future,” he commented.

Latif said it was very encouraging sign that Pakistan team did showed a lot of lot of fight from midway of ODI series and in two Twenty20 Internationals. He said players like Khurram Manzoor, Sohaib Maqsood and fast bowler M Talha should be tested and tried as they were showing great potential.

“Remember that there are still 18 months to go for World Cup and a lot of series are coming up. Pakistan must have backup for skipper Misbahul Haq and Shahid Afridi,” he added.

“He said both Misbah and Afridi are doing well at the moment. But the selectors and the PCB must keep other circumstances in mind. There are no guarantees of form and fitness of Misbah, Afridi and others. So we must be prepared for everything and prepare pool of players for the World Cup,” he concluded.